Disclosed are document imaging systems and methods which provide cleaning and cooling of various components associated with an image scanning system. According to one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, provided is a document imaging system including a flexible, accordion style, duct which draws air through a vacuum slot between a light source and optical sensor associated with the scanning system. The resulting air flow provides cleaning of the imaging platen and provides cooling/cleaning of the light source and optical sensor.
|
11. A document imaging system comprising:
a document handler;
an imaging platen operatively associated with the document handler, the imaging platen including a top surface and an underside surface;
a tub attached to the imaging platen, whereby the underside surface is substantially sealed within the tub, the tub including an inside cavity, an outside surface, an air inlet and an air outlet;
a light source and optical sensor assembly located within the tub inside cavity, the light source and optical sensor assembly configured to scan a document placed on the imaging platen; and
a blower operatively connected to the air outlet and the light source and optical sensor assembly,
wherein the blower draws air from the air inlet, across the imaging platen underside, across the light source and optical sensor assembly, and out the air outlet.
1. A document imaging system comprising:
a document handler;
an imaging platen operatively associated with the document handler, the imaging platen including a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a top surface and an underside surface;
a tub attached to the imaging platen, whereby the underside surface is substantially sealed within the tub, the tub including an inside cavity, an outside surface, an air inlet and an air outlet;
a light source aligned along the lateral axis of the imaging platen and located within the inside cavity of the tub;
an optical sensor longitudinally offset from the light source and aligned along the lateral axis of the imaging platen and located within the inside cavity of the tub;
a slot aligned along the lateral axis of the imaging platen and bounded by the light source and optical sensor, the slot located within the inside cavity of the tub and operatively connected to the air outlet;
a blower operatively connected to the air outlet,
wherein the blower draws air from the air inlet, along the underside surface of the imaging platen, through the slot and through the air outlet to provide one or more of cooling and cleaning of any surfaces within the tub.
2. The document imaging system according to
4. The document imaging system according to
5. The document imaging system according to
a collapsible ducting operatively connected to the air outlet and the slot; and
a carriage operatively connected to the light source and the optical sensor, the carriage configured to run along the longitudinal axis of the imaging platen.
6. The document imaging system according to
8. The document imaging system according to
9. The document imaging system according to
12. The document imaging system according to
14. The document imaging system according to
15. The document imaging system according to
a collapsible ducting operatively connected to the air outlet and the slot; and
a carriage operatively connected to the light source and the optical sensor, the carriage configured to run along the longitudinal axis of the imaging platen.
16. The document imaging system according to
18. The document imaging system according to
19. The document imaging system according to
20. The document imaging system according to
|
This disclosure relates to optical scanning devices. Specifically, provided are systems and methods to clean the underside of a platen, as well as cool components, such as a light source and optical sensor, operatively associated with a scanning device.
Contamination of imaging stations associated with a document handler, such as a manual or document feeder, is a long standing problem. In particular, the platen glass area over which document sheets are manually or sequentially fed for scanning can become contaminated, such as by dirt, paper lint, ink, toner, etc., which can cause objectionable line or spots on a rendered image of the scanned document.
In addition, contamination of the underside of the platen glass area can also become contaminated by dust, dirt, ink, toner, etc., which also causes objectionable line or spots on a rendered image of the scanned document.
Recognition of the problems of imaging area contamination and partial electronic solutions are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,393,161 and 6,522,431. An example of a typical CVT document feeding and imaging system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,534,989, 6,166,394, or 6,350,072, incorporated by reference herein, although not limited thereto. As shown therein an automatic CVT document feeder and imager may desirably be integrally combined with a large platen stationary document scanner for documents not desired to be fed through the CVT system, and the CVT system can use a small area of the same platen or a separate platen for its imaging station, and either can be lifted up to expose either of the two separate platen imaging areas. As described and shown therein, typically these units share the same scanning bar and scanning lamp unit, which moves under the CVT platen area during its CVT imaging operation, but moves over and parks on the opposite side of the large platen area provided for stationary document scanning whenever the platen cover, CVT unit, or both are opened, since that opening normally indicates that the user is planning to place a document for scanning on the large stationary document platen.
Currently, in order to clean the underside of an imaging platen, a service call needs to be placed, whereby a technician must remove the platen to manually clean the underside.
Needed is a more automatic method and system of cleaning the platen underside.
In one embodiment of this disclosure, described is a document imaging system. The document imaging system is comprised of a document handler; an imaging platen operatively associated with the document handler, the imaging platen including a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a top surface and an underside surface; a tub attached to the imaging platen, whereby the underside surface is substantially sealed within the tub, the tub including an inside cavity, an outside surface, an air inlet and an air outlet; a light source aligned along the lateral axis of the imaging platen and located within the inside cavity of the tub; an optical sensor longitudinally offset from the light source and aligned along the lateral axis of the imaging platen and located within the inside cavity of the tub; a slot aligned along the lateral axis of the imaging platen and bounded by the light source and optical sensor, the slot located within the inside cavity of the tub and operatively connected to the air outlet; a blower operatively connected to the air outlet, wherein the blower draws air from the air inlet, along the underside surface of the imaging platen, through the slot and through the air outlet to provide one or more of cooling and cleaning of any surfaces within the tub.
In another embodiment of this disclosure, a document imaging system is described with is comprised of a document handler; an imaging platen operatively associated with the document handler, the imaging platen including a top surface and an underside surface; a tub attached to the imaging platen, whereby the underside surface is substantially sealed within the tub, the tub including an inside cavity, an outside surface, an air inlet and an air outlet; a light source and optical sensor assembly located within the tub inside cavity, the light source and optical sensor assembly configured to scan a document placed on the imaging platen; and a blower operatively connected to the air outlet and the light source and optical sensor assembly, wherein the blower draws air from the air inlet, across the imaging platen underside, across the light source and optical sensor assembly, and out the air outlet.
The file of this patent contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Patent and Trademark Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
An image scanning system has several conflicting requirements, as the optics are sensitive to dust and contamination, and the system needs to be sealed to keep the optics clean. Conversely, the light source and electronics within the scanner needs external air for cooling, which may contain contamination. Contamination settles on the underside of the platen glass blocking the scan bar's view of the original or on the optical sensor itself. Furthermore, conventional scanning systems have no cooling or cleaning strategy within the scanner system, whereby the life of many electronic components is shortened. In addition, a detrimental effect on the scanned image quality can be the result of improper cooling/cleaning.
The disclosed embodiments utilize a special arrangement of vacuum ducting attached to an expandable tubing material that can compress to allow a scan bar to return home and stretch, and to allow the scan bar to park in the CVT position. The vacuum ducting provides a manner to induce an airflow to cool the scan bar light source and the scan bar lens optical sensor, and clean the underside of the platen glass.
One feature of this disclosure is the use of an integral forced cooling of the scan bar combined with platen glass cleaning and concertina ducting to maintain full scanning mobility/functionality.
As shown in
With reference to
The machine 108 generally employs a photoreceptor module 190 including a photoconductive member, such as a belt 110. The photoconductive belt 110 can be made from a photoconductive material coated on a ground layer which, in turn, is coated on an anti-curl backing layer. The belt 110 moves in the direction of arrow 113 to advance successive portions sequentially through the various processing stations disposed about the path of movement thereof. Belt 110 is entrained as a closed loop 111 about a stripping roll 114, a drive roll 116, and an idler roll 121.
Initially, a portion of the photoconductive belt surface passes through a charging station AA. At the charging station AA, a corona generating device indicated generally by the reference numeral 122 charges the photoconductive belt 110 to a relatively high, substantially uniform potential. At an exposure station BB, the controller or electronic subsystem (ESS) processor 202, receives image signals from the RIS 128 representing the desired output image and processes these signals to convert them to a continuous tone or gray scale rendition of the image which is transmitted to a modulated output generator, for example the raster output scanner (ROS), indicated generally by reference numeral 130.
The ROS 130 includes a laser with rotating polygon mirror blocks. For example, a nine-facet polygon could be used. The ROS 130 illuminates the charged portion on the surface of the photoconductive belt 110 at a resolution of about 300 or more pixels per inch. The ROS will expose the photoconductive belt 110 to record an electrostatic latent image thereon corresponding to the continuous tone image received from the ESS processor 202. As an alternative, the ROS 130 may employ a linear array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged to illuminate the charged portion of the photoconductive belt 110 on a raster-by-raster basis.
After the electrostatic latent image has been recorded on the photoconductive surface 112, the belt 110 advances the latent image to a development station CC, which includes four development modules as shown each having developer units containing CMYK color toners, in the form of liquid or dry particles. As is well known, the CMYK color toners are electrostatically attracted to the latent images using commonly known techniques.
After the electrostatic latent image is developed, the toner powder image present on the belt 110 advances to the transfer station DD. A print sheet 148 is advanced to the transfer station DD, by a sheet feeding module or apparatus 150, 151. The sheet feeding apparatus 150, 151 includes a feed roll 152 contacting the uppermost sheet of the stack 154. The feed roll 152 rotates to advance the uppermost sheet from the stack 154 to the sheet transport 156. The sheet transport 156 directs the advancing sheet 148 of support material into the registration assembly 157 and then into the image transfer station DD to receive a toner image from the photoreceptor belt 110 in a timed sequence. The toner image on the image bearing surface 112 of the belt 110 contacts the advancing sheet 148 at transfer station DD. The transfer station DD includes a corona generating device 158, which sprays ions onto the backside of sheet 148. This attracts the toner image from the photoconductive surface 112 to the sheet 148. After image transfer as such, the sheet 148 continues to move in the direction of arrow 160 by way of the belt transport 162, which advances the sheet 148 to the fusing station FF.
The fusing station FF includes a fusing module indicated generally by the reference numeral 170 which permanently affixes the transferred toner power image to the copy sheet. Preferably, the fusing module 170 includes a heated fuser roller 172 and a pressure roller 174 with the powder image on the copy sheet contacting fuser roller 172. The pressure roller is biased against the fuser roller to provide the necessary pressure to fix the toner powder image to the copy sheet. The fuser roll is internally heated by a quartz lamp (not shown). A release agent, stored in a reservoir (not shown), is pumped to a metering roll (not shown). A trim blade (not shown) trims off the excess release agent. The release agent transfers to a donor roll (not shown) and then to the fuser roll 172.
The sheet then passes through the fusing module 170 where the image is permanently fixed or fused to the sheet. After passing through the fusing module 170, a gate 188 either allows the sheet to move directly via an output 117 to a finisher or stacker, or deflects the sheet into the duplex path 100, specifically, first into a single sheet inverter 182. That is, if the second sheet is either a simplex sheet, or a completed duplexed sheet having both side one and side two images formed thereon, the sheet will be conveyed via gate 188 directly to the output finishing module (260,
However, if the sheet is being duplexed and is then only printed with a side one image, the gate 188 will be positioned to deflect that sheet into the inverter 182 and into the duplex loop path 100, where that sheet will be inverted and then fed to the acceleration nip 102 and belt transports 210, for recirculation back through the transfer station DD and the fusing module 170 for receiving and permanently fixing the side two image to the backside of that duplex sheet, before it exits via the exit path 117.
After the print sheet is separated from the photoconductive surface 112 of the belt 110, the residual toner/developer and paper fiber particles adhering to photoconductive surface 112 are removed therefrom at a cleaning station EE. The cleaning station EE includes a rotatably mounted fibrous brush in contact with the photoconductive surface 112 to disturb and remove paper fibers and a cleaning blade to remove the non-transferred toner particles. The blade may be configured in either a wiper or doctor position depending on the application. Subsequent to cleaning, a discharge lamp (not shown) floods the photoconductive surface 112 with light to dissipate any residual electrostatic charge remaining thereon prior to the charging thereof for the next successive imaging cycle.
A detailed example of a full width array (FWA) constant velocity transport (CVT) scanner/document handler is shown in
Although a single roll 319 (or common axis plural rolls) CVT is shown, it will be appreciated that there are other known CVT systems in which there is a pair of CVT rolls spaced on opposite sides of the imaging area 317 and a floating baffle holds the document down against the platen in imaging area.
When scanning a stationary document, the large platen 318 is used. This scanning is performed by the same single optics unit 390 and its slide pads 392 moving under that other platen 318, as shown by the movement arrow and phantom line position thereof. For each return to the first mode of automatic document feeding and scanning, the optics unit 390 must then return back to its imaging station 317 position.
With reference to
The cooling and cleaning system includes a scanner assembly 450, a scanner tub 440, an air inlet filter 425 and a blower 430. In addition, the air blower 430 is connected to a flexible tube 420, which connects to a duct 460, enclosing the scanner assembly. An imaging platen (not shown) is positioned on top of the scanner tub. In operation, the scanner assembly traverses along the longitudinal axis of the imaging platen and scanner tub, while the flexible tube expands and contracts appropriately. Air is drawn through the inlet filter 425, along the underside of the imaging platen and through the vacuum slot between the light source and optical sensor and into the interior of the duct 460 which substantially draws air from the bottom of the vacuum slot through the flexible tube 420 and out the blower 430. The air flow provides cleaning of the imaging platen underside, as well as cooling of various components within the scanner assembly, including the light source and optical sensor.
It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10546160, | Jan 05 2018 | HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC | Methods, apparatuses, and systems for providing print quality feedback and controlling print quality of machine-readable indicia |
10754593, | Jan 05 2018 | DATAMAX-O NEIL CORPORATION | Methods, apparatuses, and systems for verifying printed image and improving print quality |
10795618, | Jan 05 2018 | HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC | Methods, apparatuses, and systems for verifying printed image and improving print quality |
10803264, | Jan 05 2018 | HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC | Method, apparatus, and system for characterizing an optical system |
10834283, | Jan 05 2018 | HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC | Methods, apparatuses, and systems for detecting printing defects and contaminated components of a printer |
10999460, | Jan 05 2018 | HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC | Methods, apparatuses, and systems for detecting printing defects and contaminated components of a printer |
11157217, | Jan 05 2018 | HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC | Methods, apparatuses, and systems for verifying printed image and improving print quality |
11210483, | Jan 05 2018 | HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC | Method, apparatus, and system for characterizing an optical system |
11301646, | Jan 05 2018 | HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC | Methods, apparatuses, and systems for providing print quality feedback and controlling print quality of machine readable indicia |
11570321, | Jan 05 2018 | HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC | Methods, apparatuses, and systems for detecting printing defects and contaminated components of a printer |
11625203, | Jan 05 2018 | HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC | Methods, apparatuses, and systems for scanning pre-printed print media to verify printed image and improving print quality |
11669703, | Jan 05 2018 | Datamax-O'Neil Corporation | Method, apparatus, and system for characterizing an optical system |
11694045, | Jan 05 2018 | Datamax-O'Neil Corporation | Method, apparatus, and system for characterizing an optical system |
11893449, | Jan 05 2018 | HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC | Method, apparatus, and system for characterizing an optical system |
11900201, | Jan 05 2018 | HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC | Methods, apparatuses, and systems for providing print quality feedback and controlling print quality of machine readable indicia |
11941307, | Jan 05 2018 | Hand Held Products, Inc. | Methods, apparatuses, and systems captures image of pre-printed print media information for generating validation image by comparing post-printed image with pre-printed image and improving print quality |
11943406, | Jan 05 2018 | HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC | Methods, apparatuses, and systems for detecting printing defects and contaminated components of a printer |
12073282, | Jan 05 2018 | Datamax-O'Neil Corporation | Method, apparatus, and system for characterizing an optical system |
9781283, | May 25 2016 | Xerox Corporation | Document handler having integrated platen and fully internal CVT path |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
4635072, | May 14 1982 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Printing apparatus and methods for compensating synchronization errors |
5249255, | Oct 03 1990 | ADVANCE PROCESS SUPPLY COMPANY, AN IL CORP | Resin curing apparatus and method utilizing infrared lamp and blower control means |
5339139, | Oct 12 1993 | Xerox Corporation | Document feeder with positive document removal from imaging platen |
5534989, | Jun 07 1995 | Xerox Corporation | Separating document trays imaging system |
5552812, | Dec 10 1986 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Recording apparatus having an ink mist evacuation system |
5722029, | Oct 24 1995 | Ricoh Company, LTD | Image forming apparatus |
6166394, | Dec 07 1998 | Xerox Corporation | Dual background document scanner to eliminate hole printouts |
6350072, | Feb 24 2000 | Xerox Corporation | Printer with plural mode integral module for document handling print output and print duplex inversion |
6393161, | Apr 26 1999 | Xerox Corporation | Software system for minimizing image defects in a hard-copy input scanner |
6522431, | Apr 26 1999 | Xerox Corporation | System for minimizing image defects in a hard-copy input scanner |
6593995, | Apr 12 2002 | Xerox Corporation | Dual mode document scanner with variable platen level transition |
7667878, | Mar 07 2006 | Xerox Corporation | CVT document scanner contamination diagnostic routine |
7755808, | Nov 17 2005 | Xerox Corporation | Document scanner dust detection systems and methods |
8543044, | Mar 30 2010 | KONICA MINOLTA, INC | Fixing device and image forming apparatus having sheet separation device |
20020149804, | |||
20090153814, |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Aug 08 2012 | WATTS, CHRISTOPHER F D | Xerox Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 028758 | /0177 | |
Aug 09 2012 | Xerox Corporation | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Feb 06 2014 | ASPN: Payor Number Assigned. |
Aug 25 2017 | M1551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Year, Large Entity. |
Nov 08 2021 | REM: Maintenance Fee Reminder Mailed. |
Apr 25 2022 | EXP: Patent Expired for Failure to Pay Maintenance Fees. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Mar 18 2017 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Sep 18 2017 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 18 2018 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Mar 18 2020 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Mar 18 2021 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Sep 18 2021 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 18 2022 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Mar 18 2024 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Mar 18 2025 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Sep 18 2025 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 18 2026 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Mar 18 2028 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |